Categories for Accounting News

Working from home during a COVID-19 lockdown: Can you claim a tax deduction for rent?

The ATO has long held firm on the principle that rent payments (being a form of occupancy costs) are generally outgoings “of a private or domestic nature” and therefore not deductible, even where part of the rented home is used as a home office. However, it has been accepted that in some circumstances, a rent deduction may be claimed if a part of the home is used exclusively for income-producing activities and there is no alternative place of business provided by the taxpayer’s employer.

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Recontributions of COVID-19 early released super

Under the COVID-19 early release measures, individuals could apply to have up to $10,000 of their super released during the 2019–2020 financial year and another $10,000 released between 1 July and 31 December 2020. 

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ATO announces STP Phase 2 blanket deferral

Australian employers will now have two more months to transition to the second phase of Single Touch Payroll as the ATO announces a blanket deferral in light of the current business environment.

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Pitfalls and proposed changes in the use of R&D tax incentives

Since its introduction, a number of taxpayers have fallen foul of the ATO in its administration of the research and development (R&D) tax incentive scheme under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth) (ITAA) for failing to have claimed an offset for an activity that strictly complies with the relevant tests.

 

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